Cherokee Rewind Podcast: Recent Episodes
TSNW
Former Chelsea, MI native Ryan talks about playing the game in his youth at UofM's Yost Arena, the challenge of going to Vermont and New Hampshire to play in less than ideal situations, and finding the right fit in Toledo.
Stories is a group conversation format in which there is no format. Teammates swapping stories... These will appear from time to time in between the individual features.
Originally from Springfield, IL, Jay talks about his start in hockey, the influence of his dad as a hockey player, and some of the more interesting times he had playing juniors, including two and a half seasons with the Cherokee.
This episode finds the Indiana native talking about his love for the Ft. Wayne Komets.Playing for the Cherokee when they were in Monroe. And returning to playing hockey at Indiana University when he thought he was done. And now enjoying life as a dentist.
From Elkhart, Indiana Adam talks about finding a place to play hockey... in Wisconsin. What it was that brought him to Toledo. The impact that the Cherokee organization had on him. And how that led him into the world of officiating....
An Adrian, MI native, Eric talks about getting a late start in the game. Also, growing up in an area where at that time the pickings were slim as to where to play hockey. The roll of family in his life and the time albeit short, that he had with his late brother AJ.
A Michigan native, Josh talks about getting his start playing hockey... the roller version. The trade that brought him to Toledo and how much it impacted him not only at TC, but playing with some Cherokee teammates later at Eastern Michigan. The haunted cemetery at Southern Tier. And now coaching at EMU...
The 100th episode needed to be someone special. And they don't come more special than Coach Omey. A teacher, coach, friend, mentor, and overall good guy who doesn't like the term 'Legend' that Kenny Miller bestowed on him.
The little kid that could from Riga, MI. Ryan talks about growing up a Red Wings fan, getting his older brothers to follow in his footsteps to play the game. Playing 4 years of juniors (2 in Toledo, 2 in Alpena) for four different coaches. And how his family were there every step of the way...
In this episode, the Monroe, Michigan product talks about not taking up the game of hockey until he was 11 years old. He considered himself the worst player on the team but through sheer hard work, he played 3 years for TC and played up at Eastern Michigan. Now is taking what he's learned and applying it to coaching in Pittsburgh.
Originally from Petersburg, MI... Larry chats about growing up playing in Sylvania. How he ended up at Northview HS and ultimately at the Cherokee. And the great career with TC including the amazing game vs. Grand Rapids.... Scoring 5 goals in 5 different ways , in one game!
Toledo born and bred, Toby talks about growing up playing youth hockey playing at the old Sports Arena on the East Side. How he caught on with Toledo, got traded to Michigan Ice Dogs with his brother. Taking a year off from hockey before coming back again to the Cherokee and the fun he had playing with his brother Andrew.
A homegrown product, Anthony talks about how much his grandfather had an impact on him and his love of the game. And how coaches from his youth through juniors made an impact on him when he moved from defense to forward and how he applies those lessons now as a coach himself.
Assistant Coach and top recruiter, Nic talks about how he fell in love with hockey by watching it on TV. Why the Anaheim Ducks are his favorite team and how the movie franchise had nothing to do with it. And what are some of his future aspirations...
A guy born and raised in Lexington Ky. Nick calls in from the road to talk about how he came from an area that didn't play hockey to forming a hockey association in Lex (his mom helped form it) to playing in Toledo and winning a national championship... to taking violin lessons and playing briefly in a bluegrass band!
A local guy just north of the state line, Alex talks about getting his start playing in house leagues in Ann Arbor, Monroe, and Downriver. How he came to Toledo and how he played out west, coming back to Michigan, and discovering his athletic grove... playing Rugby.
From the '09-10 season, the North Carolinian talks about playing youth hockey in the south. The move to Michigan to play HS prep and then going straight to Adrian College... only to end up not having a team to play for there that year and coming to Toledo to play for a great bunch of characters.
Wausau, Wisconsin native Steve tells some funny stories including how he got to Toledo from Bozeman, MT. His introduction to Bob Zion and what 'head rolls' were... And how much he grew to love the team and how much that experience in Toledo meant to him.
Goalies. Glen talks about being the stereotype of one. A local native... wanting to be a goalie from the word go, playing two seasons for the Cherokee. To playing for the TPD and TFD hockey teams.
A Grand Rapids MI native, Socks talks about the joys of bruises playing mini-sticks in the basement. Playing 2 seasons, for Toledo for 2 different coaches. How a couple of Toledo teammates would impact him and change his direction for what he wanted to do for a career.
Originally from Sylvania, Alex talks about loving the sport right from the get go. The life of being a triplet. The desire to play away from home and finding his sweet spot playing at Arizona State.
A Kalamazoo native, Kyle finds his groove after playing hockey by playing country music... almost entirely by accident. , a fun listen for both hockey and country music fans of Kyle.
A local Michigan guy, Adam talks about fun things. Like crying as a mini-mite because "mama coach" wasn't on the bench and other fun things like getting his jaw broken in his first fight with Toledo just one week after getting his braces removed. Audio is a little noisy as we had to do this episode "on the road"...
Family. That's what means the most to the Ft. Wayne native. Kobi talks about the importance of the Komets in the Ft. Wayne community and about playing hockey fearlessly as a short guy. How he got under people's skin and yes, he did pose in a Cherokee calendar!
A good guy that worked hard to get where he’s gotten. Local guy Andrew talks about his early years picking hockey over baseball. What it was like to win a state title for St. John’s Jesuit. Making the jump from HS to playing for the Cherokee. Also, the story of breaking his ankle in practice… by his coach!
Some lf the wackier side of life as Chris talks about getting players to bond. The joy of bus trips, and how Brian Kinsella got him to come to St. Francis and bring home a state title or three.
Former Head Coach Chris Varga in part one of this episode talks about his journey first as a player and the seeds that were planted in him and what led him to ultimately find success as a coach. And some wacky stories along the way.
Toledo born and bred, Ricky talks about growing up going to Storm games, playing youth hockey in the TC program... and leaving to play HS for St. Francis. And keeping a promise to Sap Miller to come back and play juniors for the Cherokee.
What is a guy from Espanola, New Mexico doing playing hockey? Well Brett takes us on an entertaining journey by way of Denver, then Toledo... and a few other stops along the way. How he is giving back now by coaching kids back in NM the way he learned both in Denver and Toledo...
A guy who always wanted to play for Toledo, following in the footsteps of his cousin. It took till his age-out year for Brett to achieve his goal. He talks about his and his family's beginnings in Springfield, Illinois. How important family has been to him. And how later on, his younger brother came to Toledo as well.
Jake talks about his journey playing the game, starting at the old Sports Arena, to Tam O'Shanter and then home to the Ice House. He talks about how important it was to have discipline and structure that he learned from his coaches. How he tries to apply that now as he coaches his youth team.
In this episode, Stummer talks about his start in hockey, including a youth team picture with him in goalie gear at the only game he ever played in goal. How he came to the Cherokee (by way of Cleveland) and winning a national championship. And how he was influenced by his coaches and using it now as the bench boss at St. John's Jesuit HS in the Glass City.
From the suburbs of Chicago, Mickey keeps things interesting. How he and his brothers were not Blackhawk fans growing up. How he spent two lively seasons in Toledo. How he ended up playing college hockey at Arizona. Coming back home to Chicago after more than a decade and a half. And his excitement at getting ready to become a first time dad... with twins!
Originally from Maumee, Chris tells a great story of getting cut from a youth all star (select) team that his dad coached, which ended up turning him into a goaltender. The travel hockey journey that ultimately led him to Toledo. And how he coaches his own son down in Columbus.
Oregon, Ohio native Huddy talks about playing growing up. Playing HS for the Clay Eagles. The impact of Kyle Cannon and Cody Van Hersett both of which happened during his time at Clay. To lighter moments involving 'future' defenseman partner Donnie Nagle. And life now in the Coast Guard.
A local guy, Rob talks about originally wanting #6 but settling for #4. Playing for the Junior Storm before suiting up for the hometown Cherokee. Family, Military, work, and coaching and how they play into his life. Oh, and that time he and the Cherokee won the National Championship!
A Royal Oak native, Kurt talks about not realizing you couldn't body check at age six. Some of the highlights (and low lights) of playing amateur hockey. How becoming a dad at age 19 changed him. And how he still keeps in contact with the guys he played with...
From Michigan to S.C. and back... Lots miles in between. Mike talks about how much fun he had playing hockey. Including his one year in Toledo. How as a 16 year old he played an aggressive style of hockey. Why he never fought in Toledo. And now working in the golf world.
From NW Indiana, Ryan talks about his folks not expecting him to fall in love with the game. How injuries may have ended his career but not his passion for the game. And how playing in Toledo led him to friendships that he maintains to this day.
Originally from Sylvania, Will talks about originally starting in the TC youth program and going back and forth with Sylvania, before settling in at the Ice House to play. The impact that Coach Omey had on him and continues to have on him as he finishes college at Johnson & Wales University.
Born in Sarnia, but moved multiple times, Jordan talks about the unusual start in the Cherokee organization. To playing hockey in the GOJHL and later at Princeton and then on to Sweden. He grew to appreciate playing for Toledo and the impact that those players have on him even today.
The story continues as Donnie and Fred talk about bonding despite the age difference, why Donnie didn't play high school hockey, and why Fred is more likely to coach his son in golf.
In part one of this two parter, Fred talks about coming to Toledo from his home in Maine and being introduced to his new billet family. This included a five year old Donnie Nagle who wasn't that interested in hockey until he met his new billet brothers. And the craziness that ensued.
A hockey player from Kentucky (okay, just south of Cincinnati) Nick goes on a journey in an area where there weren't many places to play hockey to playing travel and seeing many cool places. Talks about playing juniors in Toledo instead of Cincinnati and later at Ohio University.
A local BG product, Nate chats about falling in love with playing the goalie position, the quirks of that position (humming Christmas tunes year round?) and continuing to be a part of the BG community.
A Boulder native, John talks about his hockey journey which took him from Colorado to play in Helena in the Nor-Pac, to Massachusetts (AJHL) to Toledo, back to Helena. Playing college at U of Montana and now working and coaching youth hockey... in Arkansas(?)
Originally a local from Bedford, #15 talks about getting a late start in hockey. He didn't put on a pair of skates till around age 10. But he made up for it by being fast, and playing bigger than his size. Which led him to playing for Toledo, and then Alpena and onto college.
Originally from Pittsburgh, JB takes us on a journey that took him to Minnesota, back to Pittsburgh, and back to Minnesota... with a stop in Toledo and winning a national championship along the way.
The pride of Chelsea, MI... JR talks about the early start of being a goalie. How his mom would turn away when the play came to his end of the rink... The infamous fights with Dubuque and Chicago that he got in. And how he ended up in Colorado coaching...
A guy who split time between Findlay and the Detroit area Layne talks about some of the friends he made, the coaches who he looked up to... and how he found his passion for nursing. All through his experiences from hockey!
A well travelled junior career with stops in Flint, Cleveland, Toledo, Metro and later Atlanta, Nick talks about playing hockey and the different facets of the game, and meeting... Justin Beiber?
Lambertville native Ben talks about how important playing travel was to him. How a Jr. B camp as a 14 year old changed his trajectory and how he was able to contribute because of his linemates in Toledo. Which allowed him to play junior hockey at a higher level as well as college.
This episode, we talk with a guy originally from Florida, who moved to Michigan for hockey. And so far, hasn't left. A captain with TC, Ryan talks about having to grow up in more ways than one and the people who helped him do just that. And where he might go when he's done with med school...
From the south side of Chicago, Op talks about playing for 2 teams at the same time in HS, how his path to Toledo went through 2 other CSHL teams... and how he bonded with the guys on the Cherokee.
The Sylvania native talks about falling in love with hockey. Playing for Northview HS, then later falling out of love with hockey, and now discovering a renewed interest in the game.
In this episode, Chris and Mik start with growing up and parenting tips and somewhere along the way, they talk about Chris' hockey journey. His year in Toledo, over a decade ago, then UT. and tells how he won a bet to get a date with his now wife.
Originally from the GTA (greater Toronto area), Whitt takes us on a journey that started at home, went on to Western Michigan, then to play in the ECHL, then to coaching which started with the Cherokee and now to BGSU as the Women's Hockey Head Coach...
Great story of a guy who played hockey in Ft. Wayne, and played 2 seasons in Toledo before playing in college. Ryan talks about the coaches that made an impact in his life. And how that led to him getting to play 5 games for his beloved hometown Komets.
From the Flint area, Nick talks about growing up playing at Iceland Arena, some of the fun playing HS and then coming to TC. Then some of the work he is doing now.
Going back up to Alaska as Jon talks about playing house league, and high school hockey. Flying to the main land (to Toledo) for camp. And life after TC, including the military and life in Alaska nowadays...
A Michigan native who played 2 seasons in Toledo. ('06-08) The guy whose body check sparked one of the more fiery brawls in TC history talks about that game and the opportunity to play in Canada, then in college.
Hailing from Sterling Heights, MI, Doug talks about the journey he went on from Michigan to Toledo, to playing hockey up in western Canada and coming back to the US to play college. And his desire to get back into coaching...
Originally a Perrysburg native, Xavier talks about playing house leagues at Tam-O-Shanter, playing for Northview HS and winning a State title. To playing for TC which led to playing hockey in NY and college hockey at Kent State... and the blood red football field at Eastern Washington...
Nik talks about the impact that the coaches he played for and their big influence in his life as a person. Nik covers his time with TC and his transition to playing for UT as well... and why its important to him to grow the game...
From Toledo to Beantown, Jon talks about his path to where he is now. How playing for his hometown shaped him and of course how his teammates loved his mom's pineapple chicken dinners on Tuesday nights during the season!
A team guy, Paul talks about being a local guy who played in Michigan then came home to play for TC. Talks about how much those years mean to him. And moving from South Carolina back to Ohio... in the winter!
Humble beginnings as Ference talks of his route to America and the people who helped him along his journey. Also talks about the teammates in Toledo and how they 'taught' him English. And of course the national championship.
One of the nice guys... Chris talks about (and teaches Mik to pronounce) his hometown of 'Oconomowoc', Wisconsin. As well as confirming the 6 degrees of separation that is the people you meet in hockey.
Andy talks about travelling at every level he played. The infamous incident versus Metro where he was run at . and the payoff of getting to play professionally close to home. And now a chance to give back by coaching at WMU's club team
Fom playing house league, to being the only guy in his area to finish playing HS and then playing juniors. Joe talks his time up in Canada. Then onto his dream team at Ohio University...
Great conversation about a Pittsburgh born, Toronto raised, Nashville guy who started as a goalie, went on to play forward for Toledo, then Middle Tennessee State, and then into coaching. Scott talks about the impact his dad and grandfather (both NHLers) had on him...
Putting in long miles to play hockey from childhood through his junior years, Josh talks about his time in Toledo and then in Gaylord (by way of Saginaw)... Audio is a little low, but still worth the listen!
From playing as a kid in Allen Park, MI to suiting up for the Cherokee for 2 seasons (09-11) and then playing in Europe to coming home again, Cam talks about what was, is and hopefully is to come!
A great conversation as Rob tells us about the 'slap shot' stick across the visitors bench in the league championship game. The infamous 'game winning goal' for the other team in the national championship game and the impact of his coaches now that he's a coach.
Local guy made good... From Oregon, Ohio, Tristin talks about being around the game his whole life, playing for Coach Kenny Miller, and the teammates that he played with...
A fun time catching up with Kansas City's own... Max talks about his start playing hockey as a kid, trying to convince his mom that hockey was the route that he wanted to go, leading him to Toledo, and then Miami of Ohio.
From Ann Arbor to Arizona... by way of Toledo... Nate talks about being the quietest guy in the locker room, to now being in sales and talking to people all the time. One of the good guys
From Colorado to the Toledo Cherokee (by way of Maine?), Matt talks about his time in Toledo, some of the friends he made here, and life now as a fireman back in Colorado.
The pride of the East Side. Moe takes us on a journey from the crazy days of the ECHL to the IHL and FHL... and finally... home... with TC...
From watching the Alpena Ice Diggers as a kid, to playing for the Cherokee, to playing hockey now in Sweden, and why "Bennie" never fit as a nickname, Ben Henry.
From the Windy City, Mike talks about playing in Grand Rapids, the trade that brought him to Toledo, and some of the characters that he met along the way...
From 00/01 Donny talks about the Cherokee and the guys who came from Pittsburgh, how tough that lineup was, and how he was recruited to college hockey for Arizona. Audio is a little scratchy at times but still a very good listen...
Austin talks about playing in the Cherokee system and meeting guys that would influence him throughout his playing career... The pride of Temperance.
From '04-05, The goalie from Alaska talks about his journey to Toledo, his infamous 'goalie fight' at nationals and subsequent west coast 'offer', plus, his transition to life after hockey.
This episode features some crazy stories from Ryan about his junior days and his time playing minor pro hockey... its not always glamorous... but you can always get a laugh out of it...
In this episode, Lucas talks about hockey in Florida, the coaches that made him grow up, and how important the hockey family is...
Great perspective as Matt talks about being a local guy who made the jump from HS to juniors and a National Championship...
Captain of the 1998 National Championship Team... and all around good guy... Hank Avink
From Bible verse in-line hockey, to a career in medicine, Armie talks about everything in-between... Including Will Farrell movies and his lone attempt at a fight in juniors.
In this episode, Jesper talks about coming to play hockey in the US, differences in the hockey here and in Sweden, and his time in Toledo after coming from Grand Rapids.
From South Florida, Nick talks about his time with the Cherokee, playing at FCU, and his passion for fishing in the Sunshine State.
PA Announcing legend Bobb talks about his time with the Hens,the Storm, Wallleye, Cherokee, and eventually, the Detroit Tigers... with some funny stops along the way...
A nice conversation with Dr. Jack Goodell PhD... also a former feisty defenseman for TC and later Adrian College.
Great conversation with a good friend, former defenseman, and current UT hockey coach, Troy Boze...
Some audio difficulties but still wanted to hear from Brad. He did a bang up job... unlike the host... hahaha...
1st podcast of Cherokee Rewind from the Chateau Louise Bar/Restaurant on the shores of Lake Erie